Their track "Jazz Thing", featured on the soundtrack to Spike Lee's film Mo' Better Blues, helped establish the sound of jazz-hop, although they themselves consider their sound solely straight hardcore hip hop.
The group was founded in 1987 with Guru, DJ 1,2 B Down, Mike Dee and various producers, such as Donald D, J.V. Johnson or DJ Mark The 45 King. In 1987 and 1988 they released three 12" vinyl singles on the legendary Wild Pitch label, and in 1989 Guru and DJ Premier (then working under the name Waxmaster C) met for the first time. In the same year they released their first single "Words I Manifest" and went on working together as a group for six albums, a 2 CD "greatest hits" compilation and numerous singles and soundtrack contributions.
Current status
On September 1, 2005, Guru revealed in an interview with the hip hop online magazine sohh.com that the group doesn't exist anymore, but that it has ended instead of breaking up. This finally cleared up the rumors that came up first on the European Gang Starr tour in 2003/2004 when DJ Premier suddenly went back to the US and Guru continued touring under the group's name with another DJ. However, in an December 21, 2005 interview with the online magazine allhiphop.com, DJ Premier has denied that Gang Starr is history; he said it's rather a long break than a real break up. In a interview from April 20, 2006, with the online magazine hoodstars.net, Guru stated he would not work with his previous partners anymore. In a newer interview he said that "Gang Starr has reached the peak" and that he is out of the project.
Guru passed away after a long battle with cancer on April 19, 2010.
Stay Tuned
Gang Starr Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get with this 'cause you got no choice
Rappers sometimes you`ll find make dough
But yo you know they`ve got no voice
Get him off the podium he ain`t no speaker
Yes he`s just a phony and look at his sneakers
Played out of style out of rhymes
He`s out his mind
I`m takin` his props so call the cops
You can call `em but I know `em
Sweet MCs I think I`ll ho `em
'Cause they front so very hard and big or small
I`ll break `em all
Ain`t gotta say that I`m the best
My skills will show I passed the test
When it comes to beats and rhymes
We come correctly everytime
And stay tuned
[Chorus]
Stay tuned...
With information like the CNN
I can take you there and then
The rest is up to you to choose
The bottom line is win or lose
Suckers suckers suckers don`t be listening
So I can`t be waitin` on `em
I ain`t got no time to play, do you?
Look at the state of things and tell me true
In the city any city life`s a paradox of good and evil
Many fall into the vicious cycle
Living by the gun or by the rifle
Think they got a reason that ain`t really sure
The death toll rises more
It`s trife the way some live life
I love rap, I like the city
But for a fool I have no pity
There`stoo much suffering too much struggle
Too much injustice and don`t it bug you
Enough for you to press on harder
Against the odds the wayn our forefathers
Made away but foolishly we go astray
Think about it and stay tuned
[Chorus]
What you really oughta do is lay back smooth
As my vocals compliment the slow fat groove
Just for you to blast around the way
Play it nice and loud and hear me say
Gang Starr is hitting `92 and on
Showing how to make a dope rap song
Doing this while some disperse
Then dissolve like specs of dirt
Our music pertains to those who remain
Down with the real not wealth or the fame
Peace out, we`ll be back, stay tuned...
[Outro]
Please stay tuned
The lyrics of Gang Starr's "Stay Tuned" admonish rappers to embody a genuine sense of self, eschewing the trend of making music purely for monetary gain. The opening lyrics of the song, "Rappers sometimes you'll find make dough, but yo you know they've got no voice," draw the listener's attention to the superficial nature of rap music production, highlighting the need for authenticity in a field sometimes driven simply by commercial incentives. As the song progresses, Guru and DJ Premier call out those rappers who are using music to gain fame and fortune without actually having anything to say.
The chorus of the song makes several references to staying informed and abreast of current issues. Guru states that, with information like CNN, he can take listeners anywhere they need to go, but the decision to act on this information is ultimately up to them. The paradoxes of urban living are also explored in the lyrics, as the song highlights the cycles of violence plaguing many cities. The outro echoes the song's title, urging the listener to "stay tuned" for more of Gang Starr's unique brand of socially conscious hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Get with this get with this
Listen to this. Pay attention.
Get with this 'cause you got no choice
There's no other option. This is important.
Rappers sometimes you'll find make dough
Rappers can make money
But yo you know they've got no voice
But sometimes their talent is questionable.
Get him off the podium he ain't no speaker
This rapper isn't a true communicator.
Yes he's just a phony and look at his sneakers
He's a fake and it's obvious.
Played out of style out of rhymes
He's out of touch and has nothing new to say.
He's out his mind
He's crazy.
Lost his way lost his pay
He's lost his path and his money.
I'm takin` his props so call the cops
I'm taking his reputation and it's worth calling the police over.
You can call `em but I know `em
You can try to call the police, but I'm not worried because I know them.
Sweet MCs I think I`ll ho `em
I'm going to steal talented MCs for myself.
'Cause they front so very hard and big or small
Because they put on a big show, whether they're popular or not.
I`ll break `em all
I will destroy any rapper trying to compete with me.
Ain't gotta say that I'm the best
I don't need to brag about being the best rapper.
My skills will show I passed the test
My talent speaks for itself; I don't need to prove it.
When it comes to beats and rhymes
I excel in both music production and lyrical content.
We come correctly everytime
My partner and I always bring our best to the table.
And stay tuned
Listen in for more from us.
[Chorus] Stay tuned...
Stay tuned for more from us.
With information like the CNN
I have the ability to inform and educate like CNN.
I can take you there and then
I can take you to the truth and reality of the situation.
The rest is up to you to choose
It's up to you to decide what to do with the information.
The bottom line is win or lose
Ultimately, it comes down to succeeding or failing.
Suckers suckers suckers don`t be listening
Ignorant and naive people aren't paying attention.
So I can`t be waitin` on `em
I can't wait on them to catch up.
I ain`t got no time to play, do you?
I don't have time for games. Do you?
Look at the state of things and tell me true
Take a hard look at reality and tell me the truth.
In the city any city life`s a paradox of good and evil
City life has aspects of both good and evil.
Many fall into the vicious cycle
Many people get stuck in a negative cycle.
Living by the gun or by the rifle
Some people rely on violence to survive.
Think they got a reason that ain`t really sure
They justify their actions, but the reasoning is flawed.
The death toll rises more
This way of life leads to more death and destruction.
It`s trife the way some live life
This lifestyle is shameful and sad.
I love rap, I like the city
I love the art form of rap, but I'm not blind to the struggles of the city.
But for a fool I have no pity
I have no sympathy for those who bring harm to themselves or others.
There's too much suffering, too much struggle
The amount of pain and hardship is overwhelming.
Too much injustice and don't it bug you
The amount of unfairness and inequality is frustrating.
Enough for you to press on harder
Let this motivate you to work harder to create change.
Against the odds the way our forefathers
We need to face the challenges like those who came before us.
Made away but foolishly we go astray
They succeeded, but we make mistakes and lose our way.
Think about it and stay tuned
Reflect on what has been said and stay alert for more to come.
[Chorus] Stay tuned...
Stay tuned for more from us.
What you really oughta do is lay back smooth
You should relax and just go with the flow.
As my vocals compliment the slow fat groove
My singing and the music work together perfectly.
Just for you to blast around the way
Play it loud and take it with you wherever you go.
Play it nice and loud and hear me say
Turn up the volume and listen closely.
Gang Starr is hitting `92 and on
Gang Starr is bringing the heat in 1992 and beyond.
Showing how to make a dope rap song
Demonstrating how to create a high-quality rap music.
Doing this while some disperse
Some people drop out, but we keep going.
Then dissolve like specs of dirt
Other people disappear like dust in the wind.
Our music pertains to those who remain
Our music is for those who keep going, despite challenges.
Down with the real not wealth or the fame
Our fans appreciate realness and talent, not just money and popularity.
Peace out, we'll be back, stay tuned...
We'll be back with more great music, so stay tuned.
[Outro] Please stay tuned
Please continue to listen for more from us.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEITH ELAM, CHRISTOPHER MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dufunitus
on Rite Where U Stand
This is Real Hip Hop music at it's finest it's a catalog of street knowledge & wisdom to revolutionize our minds above this Totalitarian System of dystopia